SEO is a vast marketing technique that requires good skills to boost engagement for brands, and language-based SEO is truly beneficial to target a specific region. And when you want to rank higher on Dubai then Arabic SEO is also important as English SEO. Because if you’re optimizing your site only in English—or only in Arabic—you’re missing out on reach, relevance, and revenue.
Arabic SEO and English SEO are not just language translations—they are two completely different digital ecosystems.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences, explain why they matter for your rankings, and share how to tailor your SEO strategy for the UAE’s multilingual digital landscape.
The UAE is unique:
So while English SEO dominates in eCommerce, tech, and lifestyle, Arabic SEO often ranks better for culturally rooted searches, local trust, and regional keywords.
If you want to win in both markets, you need to speak both their languages—literally and digitally.
Know more: How To Rank In AI Search Snippets
English keywords tend to be short, direct, and product-focused.
Example: “best digital agency Dubai” or “buy Nike shoes online”
Arabic keywords are often longer, more conversational, or location-anchored.
Example: “أفضل وكالة رقمية في دبي” (best digital agency in Dubai)
Or: “أين أشتري أحذية نايك في الإمارات؟” (Where can I buy Nike shoes in the UAE?)
Tip: Do separate keyword research for Arabic using tools like SEMrush Arabic DB, Ahrefs, or Google Trends (Arabic input).
Translating English content into Arabic doesn’t work. Why?
Because Arabic SEO content requires:
Arabic-speaking audiences respond better to content that feels native, respectful, and culturally accurate.
Tip: Use native Arabic writers and local dialects (Gulf Arabic vs. Egyptian or Levantine) based on your target audience.
Google understands English much better than Arabic. Why?
Arabic’s complex morphology (root words, prefixes, suffixes) and rich synonyms confuse search intent detection.
That means:
Tip: Be precise, repeat main keywords naturally, and use schema markup in Arabic to help Google interpret the content.
Arabic websites must be designed RTL (right-to-left). This isn’t just aesthetic—it impacts SEO:
Broken RTL layouts or poor translation can hurt your dwell time, UX, and rankings.
Tips: Use bilingual-friendly CMS themes (like WordPress with WPML) and test every page for Arabic responsiveness.
Know more: The Digital Marketing Blueprint
Getting Arabic backlinks is much harder than English ones due to:
English SEO can easily tap into global backlink strategies, but Arabic link-building must be done with local platforms, blogs, and forums.
Tips: Build relationships with regional influencers, Arabic bloggers, and local publications for organic links.
Arabic voice search is growing fast, especially among non-tech-savvy or older users. Unlike typed searches, Arabic voice queries are:
English voice search is more prevalent in Gen Z, expats, and tech users.
Tips: Optimize Arabic content with FAQ sections and conversational keywords to rank in voice results.
The best-performing websites in the UAE do not choose between Arabic and English—they do both intentionally and strategically.
Here’s what that looks like:
In the UAE’s diverse digital landscape, SEO isn’t just technical—it’s linguistic and cultural.
Arabic SEO and English SEO are two sides of the same coin. One gives you reach. The other gives you depth. Together, they give you dominance.
Because in the UAE, the difference between Page 1 and invisibility might just be just one step away, achieving this is entirely possible with the right approach and marketing techniques. If you're looking for a results-driven strategy for your brand in Dubai, please feel free to connect with DigeeSell, known as the digital marketing agency in the region. We'd be delighted to help you make that leap!
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